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For the recently transplanted high school junior, though, it meant more than just doing the right thing.

Eliana West, 16, moved to Visalia from Paradise with her family before the start of the new school year. Just before Thanksgiving, West received news that her hometown was hit by the deadliest wildfire in the state's history — 85 deaths.

"I was scared for my friends and just wanted to figure out what was going on," West said. "It's still really hard to believe."

The majority of her hometown is now gone, including her family's former home. In total, more than 12,000 Paradise homes were destroyed in the blaze.

Elaina West takes a selfie with friends and family on a trip to Chico to donate items for victims of the Camp Fire.(Photo: Elaina West)

"It's scary to think about," West said. "If I was still there all of my stuff would have been destroyed by the fire, too."

About a week after the fire hit, West and her family collected $500 for fire victims. She and her mother purchased and filled their car with items needed most by victims.

They traveled to Chico and handed out the goods. During that trip, West was also thankful to connect with friends, she said.

"They were so thankful, you could see it on their faces," she added. "It made me feel relieved. Being able to give to others and just do something relieves that pain in your chest a little bit."

Eliana West's friends and family unload their car during a visit to Chico to donate items to victims of the Camp Fire.(Photo: Eliana West)

But that pain in her chest lingered. She felt she needed to do more, she said.